Second Marriage: My Strongest Bodyguard

At noon, Alex contacted Dean first before going to meet Calvin. Right now he was in a monochrome cafe with Carlos' secretary because Carlos didn't come to the office today.

"Hello, Dean. Sorry if I disturbed your time. can I see Calvin this afternoon?" Alex asked when he was connected to Dean via an Instagram video call because he didn't have the man's cell phone contact.

"Um, it's better tonight, because this afternoon I'm not at home," replied Dean who looked like to be in the study.

Alex nodded in understanding and showed a disappointed expression, glancing at the toy he had bought lying on his front desk in a paper bag.

"It's not that I'm selfish, but I have to keep my promise to Bryana. He allows you to meet Calvin, but there must be me. And today I'm still at the office. So, it's better tonight," said Dean from the phone.

"Yes, I understand," said Alex then disconnected the video call. he sighed, feeling a strange tingle in his heart. Pain, regret, hit his heart again. 'If I never hurt Bryana's heart, maybe until now I'm still with him raising Calvin,' he thought.

Drettt... Drettt...

His smartphone rang again. Alex saw an incoming call from Elsa, then immediately answered it.

"Hello, Elsa."

"You said you were coming to pick me up because you were going to meet Calvin, but why didn't you come!" said Elsa sounding angry.

"I canceled seeing him this afternoon. maybe tonight while taking Haikal," said Alex with a faint smile imagining Calvin would play with his brother

"At night I can't come because there is a fashion show."

"Yeah, I'll just bring Haikal then."

"Can't it be tomorrow?" asked Elsa sounding curt

"No. I want to meet Calvin today. Next time I'll take you, or you don't have to go to the fashion show tonight," said Alex.

"Just tell me you want to meet Bryana!"

"Elsa..." The phone line suddenly cut off when Alex didn't have time to finish his sentence. He. Sighing, glanced at the secretary who had been beside him still playing with her smartphone. "Angie, we better get back to the office now."

"Yes sir." The secretary named Angie immediately prepared to go home while Alex paid for the food and drinks he ordered earlier.

___

In the office to be precise in the study, Dean was still busy checking the files sent by David. he sat quietly staring at documents and laptops alternately, even wearing black-rimmed anti-radiation glasses to protect his eyes from the laptop light.

Knock... Knock... Knock...

Dean turned his head towards the knock on the door. "Come in," he exclaimed.

The door opened. Vania walked over to Dean then sat in the chair directly opposite him at the brownish-white work desk where there were a Bodyguard statue and wedding photos which were also displayed in the corner of the table. yes, it was a gift given by Bryana on Dean's birthday a few months ago.

"Didn't you eat lunch, sir?" asked Vania rather awkwardly.

"I'm not hungry yet," Dean replied without looking at Vania.

"But it's almost one o'clock. If you don't eat lunch, you can get sick. Moreover, you have been very focused on work since earlier," said Vania.

"I'm not in the mood to eat."

"Em, I happened to buy a lot of food. I hope you will eat it." Vania got up from the chair. "Wait a minute, I'll get it," she shouted and then walked out of the room.

Dean let out a shaky breath. glanced at Vania who came out of the room to get food. He returned to focus on work.

in her room, Vania took a paper bag containing two servings of mini burgers and two soft drinks that she ordered through food delivery, then walked yesterday to Dean's room.

"If I can't be with Carlos, at least I can approach Dean slowly. Even though it feels very difficult. and working here also makes me not need to be a paid woman anymore," Vania whispered as she continued walking until she arrived at Dean's room. She immediately entered and approached her boss.

"I had two mini burgers and two drinks. I hope you want to eat with me," said Vania with an awkward smile.

"I don't like fast food like this. next time you just order healthier food," Dean said with a flat look, took a serving of a mini burger, then ate it while staring at the laptop.

Vania nodded and ate the burger while looking at Dean who was not at all interested in her. even eating while staring at work, made her even more frustrated because what she usually approached was the man with the nose that teased her instead.

"Sir, may I borrow money?" asked Vania, remembering that she had been kicked out of Carlos' apartment.

"What for?' asked Dean.

"To rent a house," answered Vania.

Dean frowned at Vania. "If you are about to rent a house, where have you been living all this time?" he asked then devoured the mini burger.

"Eh... I'm staying at my friend's house. I know that it's inappropriate if I borrow money because I haven't worked at this company for a long time, but I am willing to cut my salary every month to pay off my debt later," said Vania, showing a sad face.

"Alright, you can take care of the finance manager later. Just say I've allowed it," Dean said casually.

"Thank you, sir. You are very kind." Vania smiled happily, then got a drink for Dean. "Here's the drink."

"Thank you." Dean immediately grabbed the drink and drank it while staring at his documents.

Check...

suddenly the door to his room opened without knocking first. Dean turned towards the door and saw Bryana coming with Fin. He frowned at his wife who didn't like seeing him with Vania.

"You didn't say you were coming here," Dean said as he stood up after putting down his half mini burger.

"I stopped by because I was at the clinic," Bryana said as she approached Dean, then kissed his cheek briefly. She turned to glance at Vania who was eating a burger. "Are you guys eating together?"

"Yeah. I happened to be hungry and didn't have time to eat out," explained Dean, then glanced at Fin, who took Bryana to the dermatologist. He doesn't like it when his wife is guarded by a new bodyguard who he suspects is interested in his wife.

"You said you were going to rest at home, but why did you go with her instead?" he whispered.

"And why are you eating with your secretary? Why are you two alone?" Bryana asked back. then walked to the couch without waiting for a response from Dean...

Dean asked Vania and Fin to come out, then approached Bryana who looked angry.

"Do you two often spend time together at the office?" Bryana asked curtly.

"Of course not," Dean replied. "This is the first time we've eaten together because I don't like turning down an offer from her."

"She is beautiful. You'll be attracted to her if you're often alone like that," Bryana muttered with her heart filled with blind jealousy. She didn't even look at Dean who was now sitting beside her.

"Honey, we just eat together. I wouldn't be interested in her either," Dean said as he grabbed Bryana's hands.